Disconnecting-switch.



1. N. MAHON'EY. DISGONNECTING SWITCH, APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, |913.

1,264,414. PatenaApr. 30,1918.

wnNEssEs:

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

JOSEPH N. M'AHONEY, or WILKINSBUEG, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNon To WESTING- i HOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A coRPoEA'rIoN or PENN- SYLVANIA.

DISC ONNECTING-SWITGH.

To all 'whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH N. MAHONEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Disconnecting-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrical switching devices and. particularly to electrically operated disconnecting switches.

The object of my invention is to provide a pillar type of electrically operated disconnecting switch which will open and close with a minimum pull or twist on the insulators forming the pillars of the switch.

Electrically operated pillar type disconnecting switches are usually operated by direct-current electro-magnets. The characteristics of a direct current `magnet are such that its air gap is a maximum and yits operating force a minimum at the beginning of its pull. To operatea switch requires a maximum pull to liberate the blade from the contact jaws and a minimum pull to swing the blade around after being released or started. j It follows, therefore, that the characteristics of direct current magnets are not suitable for economical operation of disconnecting switches. The maximum torque of the electro-magnet at the finish of its pull when coupled with the momentum of the blade, would tend to twist or strain the insulators comprising the rotatable pillar.

1n accordance with my invention, I interpose a spring-controlled dash pot in the operating mechanism that will first permit the electromagnet to store energy in the springs while moving through its position of minimum pull; second, to withdraw the` blade from its contact member while eXertin its maximum pull, and last, to permit the b ade to swing around to its open position under a diminishin force from the springs.

My inventlon further provides a means for relieving the destructive action of the side thrust on closing the switch by providing a blade with a cushioned contact member, and a closing magnet with a saturated core and with dash-pot action, so designed that the pull of the magnet is practically uniform for all air gaps. A

By providing the blade with a cushioned contact member, I also prevent destruction Specification of Letters Patent. Patented PL'SG 1918, Application led April 24, 1913. Serial No. 763,325.

of `the pillars should any foreign matter become lodged in the Contact jaws, as the contact blade will give way to any obstruction in its path. l

A better understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is al view, partially in side elevation and partially in section, of a switch embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view, partially in plan and partially in section, of the switch shown in' Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the spring-controlled dash-pot constituting one feature of my invention. Referring to the drawing, a switching device 1, comprises a stationary pillar 2 and a rotatable pillar 3, supported by a framework 4. The pillar 2 is attached to the framework 4 by a plurality of bolts 5, and it comprises a plurality of insulators 6 having a metal piece 7 attached to its lower end that is provided with avcontact member 8 and a terminal member 8a for the reception of a line conductor (not shown). Pillar 3 comprises a plurality of insulators 6 a metal piece 9 attached to the upper end thereof and a second metal piece 11 attached'thereto by screws 10. A third metal piece 12, having a pulley 13 cast integral therewith, is fastened to the metal piece 11, by a screw 14, the head of which engages a disk piece 15, the whole returning in a bearing housing 16 that is attached to the framework 4.

vTo the lower. end of pillar 3, is attached a metal piece 17 that has a second metal piece 18 fastened to it by bolts 19. To the metal piece 18 are suitably fastened a connector 20 for a line conductor and the movable arm 21 of theswitchcomprising two strips of metal 22 and 23, a brace 24 and a supporting spacer 25. A vcontact blade 26 is pivotally mounted between the outer ends of the strips 22 and 23 by means of a bolt 27. A projection 28, disposed between the strips 22 and 23, is connected by a spring 29 to a projection 30 on the contact piece 26.

An electromagnet 31 has a movable core member 32 that is connected to a spring dash-pot 33 which, in turn, is connected to one arm 34 of a bell-crank lever 35. A flexible strap 36 engages the pulley 13 and has one of its ends attached to a projection 38 on the arm 34 and its other end attached to a similar projection 38 on the other arm constitutes the piston member of a dashpot. I

The dash-pot 33 comprises a metal cylmder 41 having end caps 42 and 43 screwed thereon.. In the end cap 43 is screwedy a cylinder 44 that surrounds a rod 45. A collar 46 and a piston 47 that bears'upon two concentric springs 49 and 50 are attached to the rod 45.

Having described the parts incorporated in my invention, its operation -will now be explained. Assume the switch in its closed position: To open, electromagnet 31 is energized to attract its movable core member 32 with ver)7 little force because of its long air gap. It moves the rod 45 that compresses the springs 49 and 50 until the cylinder 44 stops the collar 46. At this point, the movable core member 32 has reached such a point in its travel that the magnet exerts its maximum pull and the switch blade is disengaged from the contact member 8 by means of the flexible strap 36 which' is operated by the bell-crank lever 35. After the point that required the maximum force has passed, the electromagnet has reached its limit of travel and is held there,

'while the springs 49 and 50, being still under compression, continue to open the switch by causing lthe cylinder 44 to move along the rod 45 against the action of the piston 47 of the dash-pot 33 which tends to diminish the pressure of the springs and causes the blade arm to come to rest without shock.

The actionof closing the switch is asfollows: Electromagnet 40 is energized, thereby attracting the movable cone member 39 which operates the arm 37 of the bell-crank lever 35, which causes the flexible strap 36 to turn the pulley wheel 13 and, consequently, the pillar 3 around with a steady pull until the contact blade 26 comes into engagement with the contact member 8. At this place, the electromagnet is exerting its maximum pull and draws the contact blade 26 between the jaws of contact member 8; at the same time, contact blade 26 is under tension from the spring 29, thereby neutralizing the shock or the operation.

I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof. I do not limit my invention to any particular structure, however, since it is applicable to any form of disconnecting switch.

resiliently connected to the movable con- 4 tact member for neutralizing vside stresses on the stationary insulating pillar.

2. Ina switch, the combination with cooperating contact members, of electromagnetic means for opening and closing said switch, and a spring-actuated dash-pot interposed between the electromagnetic opening means and the movable contact member for reducing the shocks incident to the Vopeny ing of rthe switch.

3. In a switching device, the combination with a stationary insulating pillar having a contact terminal at one end thereof, of a rotatable insulating pillar, a blade supported by said rotatable pillar for making contact with said stationary contact terminal, electromagnets for operating said rotatable pillar, a bell-crank lever operated by the movable core .members of said electromagnets, a flexible friction strap -connected to said rotatable pillar and operatively connected to said bell crank lever, and means Iresiliently connected to the movable member of said switch for absorbing .mechanical shocks on said pillars that are incident to the closing of the said switch.

4. In a switching device, the combination with a stationary insulating pillar having a contact terminal, of a .rotatable insulating pillar, an arm secured to said rotatable pillar, a blade resiliently attached to said arm for making contact with said stationary contact terminal, electromagnets for operating said rotatable pillar, a bell-crank lever operated by the movable core members of said electromagnets, and a exible friction strap engaging saidrotatable pillar and operatively connected to said bell-crank lever.

5. In a switching device, the combination with a stationary insulating pillar having a contact member on the lower end thereof, of a rotatable insulating. pillar having an arm attached thereto, a blade contact member pivotally attached to said arm, projections 'on said blade and on said arm, a spring connecting said projections, and electromagnets for operating said rotatable pillar.

6. In a switching device,the combination with a stationary insulating pillar having a contact member ou the lower end thereof, of a rotatable insulating pillar having a contact blade attached thereto, opening and closing electromagnets for operating said rotatable pillar, and means interposed between the opening electromagnet and the said rotatable pillar tor Storing sucient Correction in Letters Patent No. 1,264,41 4.

energy to rotate the contact blade after it has been disengaged and for gradually retarding the rotation of the said blade.

7. In a switching-device, the combination with a stationary insulating pillar having a contact member on the lower end thereof, of a rotatable insulating pillar having a pulley thereon, an arm secured to said rotatable pillar, a blade contact member pivoted to said arm, projections on said blade and said arm, a spring connecting said projections, electromagnets for operating said rotatable pillar, a bell-crank lever operated by the movable core members of said electromagnets, a flexible friction strap extending around the pulley on said rotatable pillar and having its ends .connected to said bellcrank lever, a piston, a piston rod, a spring against which said piston acts, a stop for limiting the movement of the said piston, and a containing case for said piston, cylinder, rod and spring, interposed between one of said electromagnets and said bell-crank lever.

8. In a switching device, the combination [sun] signed and sealed this 11th day? pf June, A. D., 191s.

l t0n, cylinder, rod andspring, interposed between one of saidA electromagnets and said rotatable pillar.

9. In a switching device, the combination with a 'stationary insulating pillar having a contact member attached thereto, of a rotatable insulating pillar having an arm attached thereto, a blade contact member pivotally attached to said arm, projections on said blade and said arm, a spring connecting said projections, opening and closing electromagnets for operating said rotatable pillar, a piston, al piston rod, a spring against which said piston acts with a limited 'movement, a cylinder acting as a stop for said piston, and a containing case for said piston, cylinder, rod and spring, interposed between said opening electromagnet and said rotatable pillar.

- 10. In an 4electrical switching device, the I combination with insulating pillars, of a contact y device, electromagnets, operating gear, and a spring-actuated dash-pot interposed between one of the said magnets and the said operating gear to reduce the mechanical shocks on said insulating pillars.

- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st day 0f April,

JOSEPH N. MAHON EY. Witnesses:

B. B. HINES, M. C. MERz.,

It is hereby certified that if Letters Patent No. 1,264,414, granted April 30, 1918, upon the application of Joseph M. Mahoney, of.Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, lforan improvement in Disconnecting-Switches, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 30, claim 8, after the Word arm insert the Words electromagnets for operatfi'ngsald rotatable pillar; and I that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent iice.

' F.' w. H. CLAY,

Acting Gommisa'iondn qf Patents. 

